AgTech Digest

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring an analysis of how capital and consolidation are dividing the global crop sector, Rob Eddy on horticulture education for greenhouse builders, a $45 million NSF research award for NDSU, DENSO's agri-food acquisition, LettUs Grow's commercial-scale vitamin B12 breakthrough, and CIBO Technologies partnering with Ingredion on regenerative agriculture data. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Analysis: The Agricultural Divide: how capital, consolidation, and innovation are segmenting the global crop sector across vegetables, cereals, legumes, and fruitsInterview: Rob Eddy on why the design and construction industry needs horticulture education — Resource Innovation Institute launches greenhouse workforce certification programResearch: NDSU receives $45M NSF award for AgTech Engine expansion; CAAIN launches $9M open competition to advance Canadian agri-food technologyRobotics & CEA: Nature Robots secures 4M euros seed funding to scale autonomous farming software; LettUs Grow achieves vitamin B12-fortified pea shoots at commercial scalePartnerships: Bom Group and HX Agriculture sign long-term greenhouse partnership in China; CIBO Technologies partners with Ingredion to scale regenerative agriculture data platformM&A & Infra: DENSO acquires stake in FoodVentures making it a consolidated subsidiary; Gevo plans second ethanol facility expansion at its North Dakota siteRegional: La Zone Agtech welcomes Ferme O Menu and Fermes Borea to MRC de L'Assomption; Casterra reports successful commercial castor field trials in BrazilEvents: Animal AgTech (Fort Worth), Future Fit Asia (Singapore), Fiber Connect (Orlando), Transform Food Europe (Amsterdam), Greentech Amsterdam (Netherlands)Read The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring eleven funding rounds totaling $323 million and a 2026 year-to-date total of $946 million, Jim Kras on Edible Garden's shift into finished goods and ready-to-drink products, Halter's $220 million Series E for virtual fencing, Ecorobotix's $50 million US manufacturing pledge, and Volta Greentech's European feed additive launch. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Overview: 11 companies close funding rounds totaling approximately $323M, bringing the 2026 year-to-date total to $946M across livestock tech, robotics, CEA, and sustainable financeInterview: Jim Kras on Edible Garden's shift from produce grower to finished goods supplier — Tetra Pak partnership, 200,000 sq ft Midwest facility, and RTD protein drinks under the Kick brandLivestock Tech: Halter raises $220M Series E to expand virtual fencing technology for livestock managementPrecision Ag: Miraterra raises $16M to scale AI-driven soil intelligence platform; Agrim raises $17.3M Series B led by Asia Impact FundRobotics & CEA: Ecorobotix to assemble precision sprayers in Kansas with $50M US investment pledge; Swegreen secures $2.2M to scale in-store farming operationsM&A & Infra: Total Seed Production acquires Bayer's Windfall soybean facility in Indiana; Equinox Growers greenhouse facility sold to Taylor FarmsBiotech: Cauldron Ferm raises $13.25M Series A2 to scale hyper-fermentation platform; Volta Greentech raises 1.7M euros from Axel Johnson Group for European feed additive launchResearch: University of Essex joins the 35.4M pound PhenomUK plant research initiativeEvents: AgTech Pitch Lounge (March 31st), Animal AgTech (Fort Worth), Future Fit Asia (Singapore), Fiber Connect (Orlando), Transform Food Europe (Amsterdam), Greentech AmsterdamRead The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring the farm labor crisis accelerating a $400 million autonomous technology wave, Julia Wilkinson on capital allocation for agriculture as foundational infrastructure, Solugen's $50 million organic nitrogen fertilizer raise, Syngenta's $130 million BioSTaR research center opening, Fresh Del Monte's $285 million acquisition, and Carbon Robotics crossing $100 million in annual revenue. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Analysis: Farm labor crisis fuels AgTech automation surge — 63 new autonomous products in 15 months, nearly $400M in labor-replacement venture fundingInterview: Julia Wilkinson, CIO and Managing Partner at LEBEC, on rethinking capital allocation for agriculture as foundational infrastructure, not venture-style betsFertilizer: ICL opens specialty fertilizer plant in India; Solugen raises $50M to scale organic nitrogen fertilizer production across Quebec and the USInfrastructure: Reservoir opens flagship AgTech innovation hub in Salinas with 24 acres of test fields; Syngenta opens $130M BioSTaR biological sciences research center at Jealott's HillM&A: Fresh Del Monte completes $285M acquisition of Del Monte Foods assets, reuniting the brand under single ownership for the first time in nearly four decadesBiologicals: Frontera Ag acquires PlantSustain to strengthen biological crop protection platform; Resurrect Bio and Corteva sign joint development agreement for disease-resistant cornRobotics: Carbon Robotics surpasses $100M annual revenue milestone and appoints new CFOEvents: Animal AgTech (Fort Worth), Regenerative Agriculture (LA), Future Fit Asia (Singapore), Fiber Connect (Orlando), Transform Food Europe (Amsterdam)Read The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

In this bonus episode of AgTech Digest, Sepehr Achard sits down with Afzal Hussain Mohammed Nakheeb , the visionary founder and head of strategy at T57. Together, they embark on a thoughtful journey through the complex world of food security, agtech innovation, and the hidden challenges faced by farmers around the globe.Discover why, despite producing more food than required, hundreds of millions still go hungry—and how T57 is tackling critical issues like food waste, market access for small producers, and the disruptive role of technology. Afzal Hussain shares eye-opening anecdotes from international projects, dives deep into the reality of trade finance complexities, and reveals how AI can empower everyone from the smallest farmer to the largest food manufacturer.Curious about how new models and digital platforms can dismantle traditional middlemen, or what the future of AI-driven agriculture might hold by 2035? This episode is packed with real-world examples, bold ideas, and a compelling vision for a smarter, more equitable food ecosystem. Don’t miss the chance to hear firsthand how innovation is reshaping the global food landscape, one problem at a time.https://www.linkedin.com/in/afzalhussain/http://t57.ai/----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastSubscribe to Greenhouse Success StoriesPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring the ag-biotech sector's shift from code to factory infrastructure, Tropic's $105 million Series C for gene-edited crop scaling, Living Models' AI platform interpreting plant DNA, KOMO Biosciences and Syngenta's maize genome partnership, and the sobering reality of two industry bankruptcies. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Analysis: The Seed Signal: ag-biotech's shift from code to factory — the Staple Renaissance, compressed timelines, and the new competitive moatFunding: Tropic secures $105M Series C to scale gene-edited banana and rice; Living Models exits stealth with $7M seed to map the language of plants using AIEarly Stage: Ag Startup Engine closes $7M seed fund for AgTech founders; Cytotrait secures $4M to advance MOSS chloroplast and mitochondria gene engineeringPartnerships: KOMO Biosciences and Syngenta partner on non-viral maize genome engineering; Horticoop invests in AI breeding specialist 25:2 for European expansionInnovation: IBI Ag completes proof of concept for AI-driven bioinsecticide platform; ADAMA launches Ateka insecticide with Ayalon Formulation TechnologyConsolidation: AgroIntelli seeks new ownership after bankruptcy order in Denmark; Artechno declared bankrupt by court in Den Haag following suspension of paymentEvents: World Agri-Tech (San Francisco), Animal AgTech (Fort Worth), Future Fit Asia (Singapore), Fiber Connect (Orlando), Transform Food Europe (Amsterdam)Read The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring February's industry state of play with over $91.4 million in disclosed funding, a conversation on dynamic LED lighting and the future of AI-integrated greenhouse systems, Zoetis' $160 million animal genomics acquisition, PlasmaLeap's decentralized fertilizer funding, AgriPass autonomous cultivation robotics, and Orbia Netafim's water stewardship initiative with Amazon India. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Analysis: February's State of the AgTech Industry: $91.4M+ disclosed, robotics leads funding, partnerships dominate deal activityInterview: Abhay Thosar of Sollum Technologies on dynamic LED lighting, AI-integrated greenhouse systems, and system-level optimization as the next competitive edgeGenomics: Zoetis agrees to acquire Neogen's animal genomics division for $160M, adding global genotyping labs to its Precision Animal Health portfolioFertilizer: PlasmaLeap raises $20M Series A led by Gates Foundation, Investible, and Yara Growth Ventures for decentralized renewable ammonia productionRobotics: AgriPass secures $7.5M seed for RHIC autonomous cultivation robotics targeting mechanical weeding in high-value vegetable cropsCrop Protection: Bindbridge raises $3.8M for molecular AI crop protection platform; Mycoverse raises $2.8M for AI-driven biological solutions targeting potato late blightWater & Digital: Orbia Netafim and Amazon India deploy drip irrigation across 120 hectares targeting 325M liters of water savings annuallyRegulation & Geo: AAFCO launches AI assistant for animal feed regulations; OnTerra Systems expands MapSavvy with Google imagery integration for geospatial agricultureEvents: World Agri-Tech Summit (San Francisco), Animal AgTech (Fort Worth), Regenerative Agriculture (LA), Fiber Connect (Orlando), Transform Food Europe (Amsterdam)Read The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring an analysis of CEA's shift toward industrial normalization, a conversation with Giovanni Angiolini on GCC food security and patient capital, a $300 million US agricultural credit program, herbicide resistance breakthroughs from FMC, genome editing licensing from Pairwise, and the Bayer and John Deere precision agriculture platform integration. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Analysis: What does the future hold in CEA? Industrial normalization, capital discipline, and the shift from expansion-driven experimentationInterview: Giovanni Angiolini on GCC food security: execution, patient capital with 6–8 year return timelines, and the triple helix model for CEACapital: Barings and Homestead Capital launch $300M agricultural credit program; Phatisa Food Fund 3 secures $86M first close toward $300M Africa-focused fundCrop Science: Bayer launches newgold seed brand for sustainable aviation fuel markets; PlantArcBio and Helix partner on drought-resilient corn traits for Brazil and ArgentinaCrop Protection: FMC achieves first dual mode-of-action herbicide classification for rimisoxafen, strengthening resistance management in corn and soybeansGene Editing: Pairwise licenses Fulcrum genome editing platform to Wild Bioscience for AI-driven crop trait development across row cropsAg Tech: Bayer and John Deere integrate FieldView with Operations Center via wireless prescription transfers; Proxag launches in Brazil with biopesticide manufacturing facilityAquaculture: Biosort raises NOK 100M+ for salmon lice monitoring and removal technology supporting biological control in aquacultureEvents: Animal AgTech Summit (Fort Worth), Regenerative Agriculture (Los Angeles), Fiber Connect and Precision Agriculture (Orlando)Read The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring capital concentration trends across staple crops and resilience-driven breeding since January 2025, major funding rounds for Latin American agtech and Middle Eastern infrastructure, gene-editing approvals in France and Brazil, and an interview with T57 founder Afzal Hussain Mohammed Nakheeb on using AI to fix fragmentation in the global food value chain. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Market Analysis: Capital concentration around staple crops, resilience-driven breeding, and operational efficiency; policy-backed scale defining the current AgTech cycleInterview: Afzal Hussain Mohammed Nakheeb on building T57, an AI-native food value chain platform addressing fragmentation and market access for smallholder farmersFunding: IDB Lab commits $8M to SP Ventures' AgVentures III; Engazaat launches $200M Sustainable Infratech Fund across Egypt, Lebanon, and UAEGenetics: Syngenta's X-Terra hybrid wheat approved in France; FuturaGene gains CRISPR eucalyptus clearance in BrazilBiotech: Resurrect Bio raises $8.1M Series A led by Corteva Catalyst; Ginkgo Bioworks partners with Invaio Sciences on peptide crop protectionDrones & Robotics: Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems gets $3M for BVLOS drone tech; Kilter AS secures 6.5M euro Pre-Series B led by KubotaCEA & AI: Bloemteknik advances GreenFingers autonomous greenhouse lighting; Ever.Ag embeds AI into Merchant Ag retail platformResilience: Mercy Corps Ventures pilots Salicrop non-GMO seed priming for drought and salinity resilience in MexicoEvents: Animal AgTech Summit (Fort Worth), Regenerative Agriculture (Los Angeles), Fiber Connect and Precision Ag (Orlando)Read The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we'll dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring Europe's AgTech market realignment with over seven hundred sixty-five million euros deployed since January, corporate restructuring initiatives, and autonomous robotics advancements including FarmX's acquisition of Amos Power and Upside Robotics' seven point five million dollar raise. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Market Analysis: Europe's AgTech crossroads examining regulation, capital discipline, and strategic realignment; over seven hundred sixty-five million euros deployed since January 2025Corporate Restructuring: dsm-firmenich divests Animal Nutrition and Health business to CVC as part of consumer-focused portfolio shiftCapital Mobilization: Farm Credit Canada mobilizes capital with over twenty investment groups for agricultural innovation through 2030Crop Protection: Bayer secures US EPA dicamba registration in thirty-four states for dicamba-tolerant cropsAutonomy & Robotics: FarmX acquires Amos Power to expand autonomous platform; Upside Robotics raises seven point five million dollars for precision fertilizer application; Bonsai Robotics launches Amiga autonomous lineupAI Integration: Evogene expands Google Cloud AI integration for ChemPass AI platform accelerating small-molecule discoveryBiologicals: Kula Bio launches shelf-stable nitrogen-fixing products compatible with organic and conventional systemsInsect Farming: Circa Biotech converts food waste into animal feed, organic fertilizer, and sustainable aviation fuel feedstock using black soldier flyInvestment Activity: BemAgro closes five point eight three million dollars Series A; QuicKart raises one point five million dollars for UAE fresh commerce expansionEvents: Animal AgTech Innovation Summit, Regenerative Agriculture, and Fiber Connect with Precision AgricultureRead The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we'll dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring GrubMarket's fifty million dollar raise at a four point five billion dollar valuation, Carbon Robotics' groundbreaking Large Plant Model trained on one hundred fifty million plants, and greenhouse decarbonization initiatives advancing energy transition in controlled-environment agriculture. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Major Funding: GrubMarket raises fifty million dollars Series H at four point five billion dollar valuation; acquisition-led growth and AI deployment across food supply chainsAI & Automation: Carbon Robotics launches Large Plant Model for LaserWeeder systems trained on one hundred fifty million plants; XAG launches P150 Max autonomous spray drone in United StatesGreenhouse Innovation: RVO funds five point six million euros SPROUT Project to decarbonize Dutch greenhouses; AdeptAg partners with FGM on greenhouse projectsSustainable Materials: Ecovia Bio closes Series B to scale biopolymer manufacturing for agricultural applicationsTraceability & Data: Verity partners with Bushel on grain carbon-intensity traceability; Ever.Ag launches Feedlot IQ AI platform for livestock managementNutrient Technology: Tidal Grow launches alignN foliar nitrogen technology in Canada with trial-backed yield gainsResearch Initiatives: LettUs Grow joins QuBOOSTR consortium for dandelion-derived rubber developmentEvents: Future of Food Summit in London and Indoor Ag-Con in Las VegasRead The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we'll dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring controlled-environment agriculture market maturity analysis revealing crop concentration challenges, Bayer's forty-five plus million Canadian dollar canola research investment, and strategic acquisitions advancing potato seed breeding and biological inputs platforms. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Market Analysis: Crop concentration in controlled-environment agriculture reveals market maturity; leafy greens dominate but face closures; tomatoes and strawberries show steadier momentumMajor Investments: Bayer invests forty-five plus million Canadian dollars in new Canola Innovation Center; long-term research and development infrastructure for major global cropStrategic Acquisitions: Solynta secures growth funding through EW Group majority stake acquisition for true potato seed breeding; AGRONOVA Biotech acquires Asfertglobal to expand biological inputs platformSustainability Commitments: Syngenta signs five-year virtual power purchase agreement in Europe for renewable energy sourcingTechnology Platforms: Cropin launches AI-based ecosystem for food system risk management addressing climate risk and supply-chain resilienceResearch Funding: Heritable Agriculture receives four point ninety-eight million dollar grant for climate-resilient crop research using AI-enabled genomicsBiosecurity: Barnwell Bio raises six million dollars to expand poultry biosurveillance platform for disease monitoringPrecision Application: Rovensa Next introduces Myndra biostimulant through FAUVE drone spraying project combining biologicals and precision technologyIndoor Agriculture: Ecobloom partners with New Growing System on integration for efficiency improvementsRobotics Research: North Carolina State University develops AI-enabled robotics for vegetable farmingEvents: Future of Food Summit in London and Indoor Ag-Con in Las VegasRead The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we'll dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring Israeli agriculture market analysis revealing capital concentration and export focus, Hydrosat's sixty million dollar satellite expansion, and biological innovation partnerships driving protein-based crop protection and insect probiotics forward. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Market Analysis: Israeli agriculture market signals from startup activity, capital flows, and technology adoption; export-oriented sector tied to applied innovationSatellite & Data: Hydrosat raises sixty million dollars to scale thermal satellite constellation and AI-driven analyticsBiologicals: Biotalys partners with 21st.BIO to scale protein-based biocontrols; Phileo by Lesaffre and Nasekomo partner on insect probiotics research and developmentCrop Protection: Corteva launches Telbek PRO fungicide for Canadian cereals targeting Fusarium head blightResearch & Innovation: University of Saskatchewan secures four point five million dollars for crop research projects including herbicide resistance researchPrecision Agriculture: Ecorobotix launches ALBA precision sprayer for turf and grassland; ABZ Innovation raises eight point two million dollars for agricultural dronesNutrient Management: NPHarvest receives one point two million euros for nitrogen and phosphorus recovery technology; Redox Bio-Nutrients' Mainstay Si achieves TFI biostimulant certificationGreenhouse Technology: Biome Delta and Quantified Sensor Technology partner on greenhouse monitoring systemsSupply Chain: Grove raises five million dollars to expand fresh-produce platform in Saudi ArabiaEvents: Future of Food Summit in London and Indoor Ag-Con in Las VegasRead The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we'll dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring carbon market evolution beyond credit volumes, the divergence between regenerative agriculture and carbon farming, and controlled environment agriculture's shift toward operational efficiency. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Market Analysis: Carbon markets evolution in 2026; regenerative agriculture versus carbon farming divergence; indoor farming innovation trendsStrategic Partnerships: Syngenta crop protection advances; Koppert biological solutions expansion; MOA Technology herbicide developmentTechnology Advancement: Phospholutions nutrient efficiency; Mycophyto mycorrhizal solutions; BioGraphica biological insightsInvestment & Corporate Activity: Mission Produce acquires Calavo Growers for four hundred thirty million dollars; Tagros Chemicals acquires Bayer's flubendiamide assetsBiological Innovation: Ammobia nitrogen fixation technology; Agvance farm management platformsEvents: Agri Expo International Exhibition, Future of Food Summit in London, and Indoor Ag-Con in Las VegasRead The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWS----------------------------------------------------Stay up to date on the latest in AgTech with IGROW NEWSSubscribe to Vertical Farming PodcastPowered by The AgTech Media Group----------------------------------------------------